Administrative Office of WV Supreme Court of Appeals, 15th Judicial Circuit – Circuit Judge Law Clerk: ***Position open until filled*** The Administrative Office of the Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia ("AO") is now accepting resumes for the position of Circuit Judge Law Clerk for the Honorable Judge James A. Matish. This position works under the direct supervision of Judge James A. Matish in the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit, Harrison County, Clarksburg, WV. This is a salaried position.
This is a one year position, beginning August, 2020 and ending August, 2021. The annual salary for those who are not members of the West Virginia State Bar is $50,946.00, plus benefits, and the annual salary for those who are members of the West Virginia State Bar is $59,538.00, plus benefits. Documentation from the West Virginia State Bar, i.e., Bar Issues Statement, will be required to receive the higher salary. The Circuit Court Law Clerk will be responsible for providing legal support to Judge James A. Matish. The position is a unique opportunity to learn court operations from the inside out and gain invaluable "real life" practical experience while working in a challenging, high volume, highly variable, and fast-paced environment. A successful candidate must possess excellent legal research and writing skills. The candidate must also possess the ability to communicate clearly and concisely. Ability to exercise good judgment and maintain tact, composure, and confidentiality. The candidate must possess strong organizational skills and attention to detail. Each law clerk might have a broad spectrum of duties to perform, as every judge has specific legal and administrative support that they require of their law clerk. Duties and responsibilities may include, but are not limited to: performing legal research, prepare confidential legal memoranda, attend court hearings, draft orders and opinions, advise and assist judge with legal issues, conduct discovery conferences, respond to attorneys and self-represented litigants, and monitor the court's docket. All successful candidates must submit to a criminal background check. Performs other duties as required.
How to Apply: Interested persons must submit the following application materials to:
Law Clerk Program Coordinator
Sarah Loftus at sarah.loftus@courtswv.gov
- Cover Letter
- Resume
- Law School Transcript
- Writing Sample
- References (at least three, including current contact information)
- Signed, Court Employment Application (available on Court website)
- Signed, Notarized Release for Criminal/Background Check (available on Court website)
All of the requested documents and information must be received before a final employment decision will be made. Agency Website: http://www.courtswv.gov
This job opportunity is not in the classified service and is not covered under the Administrative Rule of the WV Division of Personnel. Therefore, online applications are not accepted for this position. Interested persons must apply directly to the hiring agency as indicated above. Training: All Circuit Judge Law Clerks must sit for the West Virginia Bar Examination each time it is offered. The failure to pass the West Virginia Bar Examination within two (2) attempts will result in a loss of employment. West Virginia Bar Examination failures predating judicial employment count toward the two (2) attempts. Any person who has failed the West Virginia Bar Examination, or any bar examination, two (2) or more times is ineligible for these positions. Once a person passes the West Virginia Bar Examination, the issue of bar examination failures is moot. Additionally, the minimum law school G.P.A. for these positions is 2.2.